100 years ago in Farnhill and Kildwick

Select year
1925
1924
1923
1922
1921
1920
1919
1918
1917
1916
1915
1914

The aim of this page is to provide a monthly summary of events in Farnhill and Kildwick 100 years ago, as reported in the local newspapers of the time: the Craven Herald, Keighley News, and West Yorkshire Pioneer.

We begin our diary in May 1914, three months before the start of WWI.

If you have any additional material please email the web administrator.

Note: The Farnhill and Kildwick History Group would like to thank the staff at Skipton and Keighley libraries for their help with this project.

December 1923

Polling station

Kildwick school was closed on the 6th in order that the building could be used as a Polling Staion for the general election.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book, December 1923

Local election results

Newspapers reported the return of Col. R.F. Roundell as the Conservative MP for Skipton, for a third successive term, having polled 12,676 votes. Sir Harry Verney came second for the Liberals (11,285 votes), with Mr. C.G. Willey (Labour) coming third with 7.767 votes.

Source: Craven Herald, 14/12/1923

Winter Carnival

For three evenings, on the 6th, 7th and 8th, the Institute hosted their annual Winter Carnival of events. On Thursday there was a musical evening with an accordianist, a soprano and baritone, who performed a wide range of pieces in various combinations. Friday was a children's evening with a husband and wife team from Bradford performing conjuring tricks and sleight of hand. Finally, on Saturday, selections were performed by the Institute's own Musical and Dramatic Society. Attendances, particularly on Friday and Saturday, were good and the Institute funds were much increased by the takings.

Source: Craven Herald, 14/12/1923

Musical evening

On Tuesday 18th a musical evening was staged in the schoolroom of Farnhill Primitive Methodist Chapel. In addition to the chapel choir, numbers were performed by the local soprano Miss Dorothy Hill and other singers from the village. A supper was served and the evening ended with a selection of gramophone records being played.

Source: Craven Herald, 21/12/1923; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 21/12/1923

School Xmas holidays

Kildwick school broke up for two-weeks holidays at lunchtime on the 21st. In the morning the pupils had gathered round a Xmas tree and sung carols. They then all received an appropriate gift; gifts were also sent out to children who were expected to start at the school in 1924. A Xmas dinner was provided for motherless and fatherless pupils.

Sources: Kildwick School Log Book, December 1923; Craven Herald, 28/12/1923

Charity dance

On Xmas Eve the Kildwick Old Boys' Football Club held a dance in aid of two of the club members. J. Whitaker had been unable to work for over a year after having been injured whilst playing for the club; and N. Addy had been incapacitated with a serious illness. Substantial donations to support the two men were made by members of the public.

Source: Craven Herald, 28/12/1923; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 28/12/1923

National and International news

4th - "The Ten Commandments" - The biblical epic, directed by Cecil B DeMille, premiered in Hollywood. He remade the film in 1956.

6th - General Election - The Conservatives lost overall control of parliament, losing 86 seats to the Liberals and Labour.

28th - "Saint Joan" - The George Bernard Shaw play opened on Broadway. The London premier would not take place until 3 months later.

31st - Flooding - Both Paris and St. Petersburg (Petrograd) suffered severe flooding when both the Seine and the Neva rivers burst their banks.

31st - Chimes - The BBC broadcast the chimes of Big Ben heralding the New Year for the first time.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "December 1923"

November 1923

Ringworm

On the 8th, the headmaster of Kildwick school noted that three pupils were suffering from ringworm. On the 12th, the West Riding County Council's schools nurse examined two further suspected case.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book, November 1923

Kildwick man's egg-laying success

Harry Whiteoak, of The Grange, was reported to have won 3rd and 5th prizes in the Harper Adams Agricultural College 12-month egg-laying contest with his Ancona and Rhode Island Red entries.

Sources: Craven Herald, 9/11/1923; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 16/11/2023

Armistice Day services

Special services commemorating Armistice Day were held at St. Andrew's Church. After the morning service a laurel wreath was placed on the War memorial by the vicar who read out the names of the men recorded on it. In the afternoon a special service was held for former servicemen of the district.

Source: Craven Herald, 16/11/2023

Flooding

This month saw serious flooding throughout Craven. At the end of the month Skipton Rural District Council issued a report on what they referred to as "the worst flooding in over 30 years".

Amongst the areas flooded was St. Andrew's Terrace, where the apparatus in a pumping station was damaged; and Kildwick, where some of the drains were blocked.

Sources: West Yorkshire Pioneer, 30/11/2023; Craven Herald, 30/11/1923

Other social events

4th -- A dance attended by more than 80 people was held at Farnhill Institute.

6th -- A "Cake and apron" sale at the Methodist Chapel raised more than £20. It was followed by an evening variety entertainment.

8th -- A whist drive organised by the ladies' section of the Institute was attended by more than 50 players.

10th -- A social evening held in Kildwick Shool raised £3 for Sunday School funds.

17th -- A dance and whist drive was held at the Institute to raise funds for the Musical and Dramatic Society.

24th -- A whist drive was held at the Institute. Attendance was poor.

29th -- A lantern lecture entitled "A Trip to Japan" was given by Mis Horsfall, of Stone Gappe, to the ladies' section of Farnhill Institute.

24th -- A whist drive was held in the Institute, in aid of Institute funds.

30th -- A jumble sale was held by the ladies' section of Farnhill Institute.

30th -- Another of Thomas Appleby's "gramophone recitals" was held in the Methodist Chapel schoolroom, in aid of Kildwick Albion Cricket Club.

Sources: Craven Herald, and West Yorkshire Pioneer; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

8th - Beer Hall putsch - In Munich the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler mount an unsuccessful attempt to bring down the government of Bavaria. Hitler was arrested for his part in the uprising on the 11th.

15th - Hyperinflation - Hyperinflation in Weimar Germany reaches its height, with one US dollar worth 4.2 trillion marks. The government revalues the currency, introducing a new Mark worth 1 trillion old marks.

16th - Snap election called - Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin announced the dissolution of parliament, with a General Election to be held on December 6th.

23rd - German government collapses - The German government of Gustav Stresmann collapses amid uprisings from the polical left and right, and continued hyperinflation.

29th - Turkey - Following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey was declared a republic: with its capital at Ankara and Kemal Ataturk as its first president.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "November 1923"

October 1923

Harvest festival

Harvest festival services were held in St. Andrew's church on Sunday 7th.

The following Friday, pupils at Kildwick School held their own harvest event. The flowers, fruit and vegetables brought by the pupils were later sent on to Skipton Infirmary.

Sources: West Yorkshire Pioneer, 12/10/1923; Keighley News, 13/10/1923; Craven Herald, 19/10/1923

Institute AGM

The 12th Annual General Meeting of Farnhill Institute was held on the 12th. The secretary, George Holliday, reported on a very successful year, noting particular the popularity of the newly formed Musical and Dramatic Society. Membership had increased by 22, to 117. The finances were in good shape, with the Winter Carnival having raised £38 and the annual Garden Fete more than £21.
Sources: Craven Herald, 19/10/1923; Keighley News, 20/10/1923

Gramophone recitals

During the month Thomas Appleby, the headmaster of Kildwick School, entertained members of at least three local organisations with records played on his gramophone, including: at Farnhill Institute to raise funds for Victoria Hospital Keighley (11th), in the Parish Rooms (23rd) in aid of the Sunday School, and at the Kildwick Unionist Club (31st). The records played included recordings of Dame Clara Butt and Dame Nellie Melba, as well as the message recorded by the King and Queen and sent to schools on the previous Empire Day.

At these "Gramophone recitals" Mr. Appleby was assisted by his son Benjamin William
Sources: Craven Herald and Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

Other social events

4th -- The ladies' section of Farnhill Institute opened their winter series of events with a concert, social evening and supper.

25th -- A talk on "Life in South Africa" was given by Mrs Canter at Farnhill Institute, during which a nunber of "curios" were shown.

27th -- The Kildwick Unionist Club held its annual tea and social. Tea for 150 people was provided in the National School, followed by an evening of dancing. £20 was raised for club funds.

Sources: Craven Herald, West Yorkshire Pioneer, and Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

8th - Shakespeare - One of the least posular of Shakespeare's plays, Titus Anronicus, was given its first known performance in 300 years.

16th - Disney - Roy and his brother Walt Disney found the "Disney Company".

23rd - Hamburg uprising - A comunist-inspired uprising set fire to several police stations in Hamburg. It collapsed the following day, due to a lack of support.

29th - Turkey - Following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey was declared a republic: with its capital at Ankara and Kemal Ataturk as its first president.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "October 1923"

September 1923

Reduction in gas prices

The month got off to a good start when it was announced that from October 1st the Kildwick Gas Company intended to reduce the cost of gas to 10d per therm (down from 11d), with a further reduction for prompt payment.

Source: Keighley News, 1/9/1923

Motor Accident in Farnhill

A court convened in Skipton on the 23rd heard how on Monday 10th, Harry Daffern of Sutton was thrown off his motorbike by a car that overtook him too closely on Skipton Road, near Farnhill Wood. The car was stopped by a witness to the accident, who said that he was subjected to foul language from the four passengers of the car who were all drunk - although the driver, Harry Taylor of Bradford. was sober. The driver of the car was banned from driving for 6 months; fined £10 for dangerous driving, £2 for failing to stop, and ordered to pay £2 costs.

The judge noted that the offence was a serious one and that Taylor was lucky to have avoided prison. Accidents like this were becoming far too common and that 8 people were killed in traffic accidents every month in the UK.

Source: Craven Herald, 28/9/1923

Institute Ladies' AGM

The Institute Ladies' Section AGM was held on the 27th. The committee reported on a good year, with four new members increasing the total to 85.

Source: Craven Herald, 5/10/1923

Social events

22nd -- A dance was held at Kildwick School in aid of Kildwick Old Boys football club.

25th -- A well-attended whist-drive was held at Kildwick Conservative and Unionist Club.

29th -- Another whist-drive was held in the Insititute to raise funds for Kildwick Albion Cricket Club.

Sources: Craven Herald, West Yorkshire Pioneer, and Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

1st - Earthquake - A magnitude 7.9 earthquake destroyed more than half of Tokyo. Over 120,000 people were killed and 2 million left homeless.

7th - Interpol - Founded by police officials from 16 nations at a meeting in Austria. (The UK would not join until 1928.)

28th - Radio Times - The first issue of the listings magazine was published.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "September 1923"

August 1923

Farnhill mill holidays

The weaving shed at Farnhill Mill closed for its annual summer holiday on Friday 3rd and re-opened on Monday 13th. The press reported that with the factory being shut the village was very quiet, with many local families taking the opportunity to spend some time away; with Morecambe and Blackpool being very popular.

Source: Craven Herald, 10/8/1923; Keighley News, 11/8/1923

Cycling fatality in Kildwick

An inquest was held into the death, in Kildwick, of Mr. William Greenwood of Station Road Crosshills. At the inquest, which took place at Keighley police station, the coroner heard that Mr. Greenwood was on his way, on his bicycle from his home to Skipton when he was seen to fall off and sustain a serious head injury. Although conscious, he was taken to Victoria Hospital Keighley, where he died the following day. Evidence was presented that the accident was the result of the bicycle chain coming off.

The coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental death".

Source: West Yorkshire Pioneer, 17/8/1923; Craven Herald, 17/8/1923

Musical and Dramatic Society AGM

The first AGM of the Farnhill Institute Musical and Dramatic Society was held on the 27th. It was reported that the Society had given 12 performances since its formation the previous October; six of these in aid of Keighley Victoria Hospital Bazaar. The accounts showed a net profit of over £22, and it was decided to give £5 to the Institute.

Sources: Craven Herald, 31/8/1923; Keighley News, 1/9/1923

Talk by local historian

Towards the end of the month members of the men's class of Farnhill Methodist Sunday School gathered in the garden at the home of Mr. Julius Spencer [probably Oak Bank] to hear a talk given by local historian John Stell on the history of Kildwick.

Source: Keighley News, 1/9/1923

National and International news

2nd - US president - Warren Gamaliel Harding died after a short illness.

14th - Flying boat service - The world's first scheduled flying-boat service was inaugurated between Southampton and the Channel Islands.

20th - German hyperinflation - Prices in Germany rose 10-fold within a two week period.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "August 1923"

July 1923

Methodist minister's farewell

Rev. Thomas Ladlay took his last service as minister at Farnhill Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday the 1st. Rev. Ladlay had been minister at the Chapel for 5 years and was due to take up a post in Leicester. During his time in Farnhill he had taken a great interest in Kildwick Albion Cricket Club, and was team captain.

Source: Keighley News, 7/7/1923

Kildwick man found guilty

At Leeds quarter sessions William Green of Kildwick was found guilty of obtaining goods under false pretences, and breaking and entering. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour.

Source: West Yorkshire Pioneer, 6/7/1923

Archaeolgical Society visit

Around 70 members of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society visited Kildwick and Skipton.

Arriving at Kildwick Hall by charabanc from Steeton Station, the party was met by William and John Brigg who gave them a full history of the Hall before taking them on a tour of Kildwick Church. The group later went on to see Skipton Parish Church and the Castle.

Source: Keighley News, 14/7/1923

Divorce

A woman married in St. Andrew's Church in 1889 were granted a divorce at Leeds Assizes.

Beatrice Alice Sharpe claimed that her husband had left her on Boxing Day 1911. This was confirmed by Tom Sharpe who said that earlier in year he had committed adultery, in Stockport, with a woman named Beresford.

Beatrice Sharpe was granted an immediate decree nisi and costs.

Source: Keighley News, 21/7/1923; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 27/7/1923

End of year events at the school

As the school year came to and end the younger pupils entertained the pupils that were leaving the school a "Strawberry Tea", followed by games. The following day the timetable was suspended and all the pupils took part in a competition which involved collecting wild flowers and making them into bouquets. The bouquets were later distributed to the sick of the village.

School closed at 3.45pm on the 20th for four weeks.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book, July 1923

Social events

7th -- A fete held at Kildwick Hall raised £40 for Farnhill Institute.

17th -- A concert was put on by St. Andrew's choir in the gardens of the vicarage. Admission was free but a silver collection was taken for choir funds - the choirboys had enjoyed a day trip to Blackpool the previous Saturday.

Sources: Craven Herald, West Yorkshire Pioneer, and Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

8th - Bigamy - In Czechoslovakia, a female MP introduced a bill in parliament to make bigamy mandatory for men - in order to increase the population after WW1.

12th - Reparations - Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin called for the WW1 allies to reconsider the amount and schedule of reparations forced on Germany at the end of the war, to bring them more in line with what Germany could realistically pay.

20th - Pancho Villa - The Mexican guerilla leader and political activist was assassinated.

28th - Bridge - The building of Sydney Harbour Bridge was started.

31st - Drink - It becomes illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to under-18s

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "July 1923"

June 1923

New bell-ringers for St. Andrew's

It was reported that the vicar and church wardens of St. Andrew's had succeeded in recruiting a team of bell-ringers for the church. The bells had been rung mechanically for almost two years.

Later in the month, the new team and members of the choir had an outing to Morecambe, Silverdale and Lancaster; and the bell-ringers rang the bells at Morecambe Old Church.

Sources: Keighley News, 9/6/1923 and 23/6/1923; Craven Herald, 8/6/1923 and 22/6/1923

Properties for sale

Three properties, numbers 48, 59 and 52 Starkey Lane, were put up for auction at Farnhill Institute. They were purchased for £175 by Mr. James Shuttleworth of Cross Hills.

The properties were tenanted and yielded £24 per annum.

Source: Keighley News, 16/6/1923

Tennis court

At the end of the month, the question of providing a tennis court and bowling green was again discussed by Farnhill Parish Council. The suggestion was made that some of the unoccupied allotments could be converted for the purpose but this was discounted. It was decided to ask the local landowners if any of them would be willing to donate land.

Sources: Farnhill Parish Council minutes, June 1923; Keighley News, 30/6/1923; Craven Herald, 6/7/1923

Social events

16th -- The choir of the Farnhill Methodist Chapel had a day out in the Lake District, travelling using a combination of trains and local motor coaches.

19th -- A garden fete was held in the grounds of Kildwick Hall. £20 was raised in aid of Keighley Victoria Hospital Bazaar fund. Sadly, Mr. Sam Heywood, who was attending the event, collapsed and died subsequently in hospital on the 27th.

23rd -- Teachers from St. Andrew's Sunday School had a day out in the Lake District - visiting Bowness, Ambleside and Grasmere.

26th -- Members of the Farnhill Methodist men's bible class had their annual day out. They went, by motor-coach, to Kettlewell.

Sources: Craven Herald and Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

8th - Easier divorce - The House of Commons passed a bill giving women the right to divorce their husbands on the grounds of infidelity, without having to prove cruelty or desertion.

17th - Etna - Mount Etna erupted. Over 60,000 people were made homeless.

27th - MPs suspended - Four MPs were suspended when fighting broke out in the House of Commons.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "June 1923"

May 1923

"Ants and their ways"

At the end of month member of the Methodist Men's Society and their friends gathered at the home of Julius Spencer in High Farnhill for a talk given by Mr. Andrews of Sutton on the behaviour of ants and thieir colonies.

Source: Keighley News, 2/6/1923

King's broadcast and school outing

On May 29th, the older pupils of Kildwick School gathered to hear a gramphone recording of King George and Queen Mary's addresses to the boys and girls of the British Empire (Empire day was the 24th). The recording included performances of "Home Sweet Home" and "God Save the King" by the band of the Coldstream Guards.

In the afternoon a group of pupils were taken, by the headmaster, Thomas Appleby, to the cinema in Keighley to see the film "With Shackleton in the Antarctic".

Source: Kildwick School Log Book, May 1923

Social events

4th -- A Jumble Sale in aid of St. Andrew's Choir Boys was was held in Kildwick School.

10th -- A whist and pie supper evening was held in Kildwick School. Funds were raised for Kildwick Old Boys' Football Club.

Sources: West Yorkshire Pioneer & Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

7th - Long-distance radio - The world's most powerful radio transmitter was inaugurated in The Hague, when Queen Wilhemina, broadcast to the Dutch East Indies 7.500 miles away.

15th - Aviation pioneer - Amelia Earhart was granted her international pilot's licence.

22nd - Prime minister resigns - The prime minister, Bonar Law, resigned due to ill-health. He was succeeded by Stanley Baldwin.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "May 1923"

April 1923

Church clock

Early in the month it was reported that the chimes of St. Andrew's Church clock, which had been out of action for some time, had been fixed and were once again ringing out over the village.

Source: Keighley News, 14/4/1923

"Dole fraud" charges dismissed

Charges of attempting to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefit against Mr. Alfred Hitcham of Kildwick and Mr. Robert Roe of Farnhill were heard in Skipton Police Court. In dismissing both charges, the Chairman who noted that the cases against had been poorly prepared by the Ministry. Costs totalling £2-12s were entered against the Ministry.

Source: Keighley News, 14/4/1923

School allotment for girls

The idea of a co-operative allotment having proved a success with the boys of Kildwick School, a further 50 sq.yards was offered to the girls to be operated on a similar basis. 10 girls joined the scheme and Mr. William Whitaker donated half a stone of seed potatoes to the venture. These were planted, along with some cabbages, after school on the 19th.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book, April 1923

Measles

An increasing number of the school children fell ill with measles this month. The total number reached 11 by the end of the month, including one of the teachers.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book, April 1923

A student's success

It was reported that Mr. L.E. Hargreaves of Ivy Cottages had successfully completed the London Institute Certificate in Technology. In earlier years Mr. Hargreaves had received awards from West Yorkshire County Council and the London Drapers' Company, as well as having passed City and Guilds awards in wool technology.

Source: Craven Herald, 27/4/1923

Social events

7th -- A social evening was held in Kildwick School. Music was played for dancing and supper was served. Funds were raised for the Bradford "Church House".

11th -- A well-attended whist drive and dance was held in Kildwick and Farnhill Institute to raise funds for Victoria Hospital, Keighley. Over £25 was raised.

19th -- Following their successful first production, the Kildwick and Farnhill Institute Musical and Dramatic Society held a social evening in the Institute.

undated -- At the end of the month the Kildwick and Farnhill Institute Musical and Dramatic Society reprised its production of "Phyllida" in the Methodist school room. £38 was raised to fund a stall for the village at the Victoria Hospital Bazaar to be held in October.

Sources: Craven Herald, West Yorkshire Pioneer & Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

1st - Road numbering - The numbering of major roads in the UK started.

5th - Death of Lord Carnavon - Lord Carnavon, who had funded Howard Carter's excavation of the tomb of Tutankamun died in Egypt. His death led to the myth of a "curse" having been put on the tomb.

10th - Marathon dancing - The mayor of Sunderland issued a ban on the marathon dancing craze which had been imported from the USA, describing it as "an idiotic idea, verging on lunacy."

20th - No to UK prohibition - A bill banning the production, importation or sale of alcoholic drinks in the UK was resoundingly defeated in the House of Commons.

26th - Royal wedding - The Duke of York (later George VI) married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in Westminster Abbey. After the ceremony the bride laid her bouquet on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in memory of her brother who had died in WW1.

28th - The "White Horse" FA Cup Final - Wembley Stadium staged its first football match: the FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham. The start of the match was delayed as there were an estimated 300,000 people in the 125,000 capacity ground. Fans were moved, gently, off the pitch by a single police officer riding a white horse.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "April 1923"

March 1923

Fighting at a football match

Following a fight that broke out during a match between Kildwick Old Boys' footbal team and a visiting team from Bingley in February, a court in Skipton found two members of the Bingley team guilty of assault on the referee. The assault happened as one of the Bingley team was being sent off for kicking a Kildwick player. None of the Kildwick team were involved.

The referee had to be helped from the field by officials and members of the Kildwick team and, in the continuing attack, the vice-president of the Kildwick club suffered repeated blows.

Both men were required to pay £5 or spend two months in prison. One of the guilty men had already been banned from playing football at any level.

Sources: Keighley News, 10/3/1923; Craven Herald, 23/3/1923

Cricket club problems

At the annual general meeting of Kildwick Albion Cricket Club it was announced that the club had been asked to vacate the "Rough Pastures" ground in the coming October. The ground had been their home for almost 30 years.

It was unclear where they would find a new ground and discussions were ongoing to see if they could amalgamate with the Kildwick Old Boys' Football Club.

It was decided not to run a "B team" for the coming year, due to the cost of equipment.

Source: Craven Herald, 23/3/1923; Keighley News, 24/3/1923

Complaints to the Parish Council

The meeting of Farnhill Parish Council heard complaints about the lighting in the culvert and on Newby Road. They also received complaints about the condition of the surface of Newby Road.

The subject of additional cemetery space was also raised once again, with suggestions that a cemetery could be created on the opposite side of the valley, or that bodies could be buried on Farnhill Moor as they had done in prehistoric times.

Sources: Craven Herald, 23/3/1923; Keighley News, 24/3/1923

Local "Am Dram" society debuts

On the 20th, the Kildwick and Farnhill Institute Musical and Dramatic Society made its debut performance of the operetta "Phyllida" in the Methodist School room. The performance was repeated a further three times before the end of the month.

Sources: Craven Herald, 23/3/1923; Keighley News, 24/3/1923 and 31/3/1923

Stainer's Crucifixion

That regular staple of many church chiors, "The Crucifixion" by John Stainer, was performed at St. Andrew's Church on Sunday 25th. The performance was well received by a sizeable congregation and a retiring collection was taken for the Church of England Waifs and Strays Society.

Sources: Craven Herald, 30/3/1923; Keighley News, 31/3/1923

Dance in aid of injured footballer

On the 31st a dance was held in Farnhill Institute to raise money in support of Jack Whitaker who had broken his leg in January and had been off work since then.

Source: Keighley News, 31/3/1923

Other social events

1st -- A whist drive organised by the ladies section raised £1 for Institute funds.

7th -- A lantern slide show was given in St. Andrew's Church on the various castes of India.

9th -- A successful musical afternoon was held at Kildwick Hall, hosted by Mrs. Sharpe. The event raised £31-10s for Keighley Hospital funds.

21st -- A jumble sale at the Institute raised £6 for Institute funds.

24th -- A concert-party from the Ebenezer Chapel in Crosshills performed at Farnhill Methodist Chapel.
26th -- Members of Kildwick and Farnhill Institute held a social evening to celebrate the conclusion of their winter programme of events.

undated -- A lecture on "Brahms, Grieg and Tchaikovsky" was given at the Institute, with selections played on the piano by Miss Hanslip, music teacher at Skipton Girls' High School.

Sources: Craven Herald, West Yorkshire Pioneer & Keighley News; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

2nd - French reparations - French Army troops occupying Germany's Ruhr valley seized 232 locomotives and hundreds of freight trucks (and their cargoes) in early morning raids in the Ruhr valley, as payment for reparations.

9th - Lenin ill - Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Soviet Union, suffered his third stroke in less than a year. (He would die in January 1924.)

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "March 1923"

February 1923

Funds for the Cricket Club

Kildwick Albion Cricket Club held a whist drive on the 3rd and a dance a fortnight later. Both events were held at Farnhill Institute and were in aid of club funds. Refreshments for the dance were provided by "Ladies interested in the Cricket Club".

Sources: Craven Herald, 9/2/1923 and 23/2/1923; Keighley News, 10/2/1923 and 24/2/1923

Social evening at Farnhill Chapel

On the 13th a social evening was held in the schoolroom of Farnhill Methodist Chapel. The event started with games and competitions including a "hat decorating competition" for men and a "race to sharpen both ends of a pencil with the left hand" for women. After supper, music was provided for dancing.

Source: Craven Herald, 16/2/1923

"Quiet Day" at St. Andrew's

A "Quiet Day" was held at St. Andrew's on Saturday 17th. Rather strangely this appears to have involved at least two church services and a number of sermons.
Sources: Craven Herald, 23/2/1923; Keighley News, 24/2/1923

Sickness and cold weather affect the school

Attendence at Kildwick school was much lower than usual throughout the whole month. Septic throats caused the absence of 17 pupils for more than a fortnight, with 10 still absent at the end of the month. One pupil was admitted to hospital in Skipton for further observation.

In addition, cold weather and heavy snow meant that the school was difficult to heat. Despite the best effores of the caretaker overnight, at 9.00am on the 21st the temperature in the infants' classroom was just 7C.

Source: Kildwick school log, February 1923

National and International news

1st - The "Pools" - The first nationwide football pool was launched by the Littlewood Football Pool in Liverpool. Only 35 out of 4,000 printed coupons were sold.

9th - Aeroflot - The Russian airline Aeroflot was founded.

16th - King Tut - Archaeologist Howard Carter unsealed the inner burial chamber of Tutankhamun.

19th - Sibelius 6 - Jean Sibelius conducted the first performance of his sixth symphony in Helsinki.

23rd - Wheldale explosion - An explosion at the Wheldale Colliery in Castleford fatally injured nine coal miners.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "February 1923"

January 1923

Social events

The social life of 1923 got off to a good start with a wide range of events taking place in the village:

On the 2nd a social event was held in the Institute, during which prizes were awarded for billards and whist tournaments. The evening ended with music and dancing.
The boys of St. Andrew's Church choir were given supper in the Parish Rooms, by the vicar; followed by games. Later in the same week, the adult members of the choir held a social evening with music, dancing and supper.
Members of the Kildwick Old Boys' Football Club organised a dance in aid of club funds.
The Methodist Church Sunday School held its annual tea, concert and prize-giving; and the following week organised a social evening to raise funds for St. Dunstan's Home for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors - a charity supported by Mrs Sharpe of Kildwick Hall.
Two whist drives were held at the Kildwick Conservative Club, to raise funds for the club.
A concert was held in the Institute in aid of Skipton and District Cottage Hospital.
Towards the middle of the month a Fancy Dress Ball was held at the Institute. Over 50 people attended and prizes were awarded for the best costumes. Supper was served and then dancing continued until late.
Throughout the month the annual series of "At Home" evenings took place in the schoolroom of the Methodist Chapel.

Sources: Craven Herald, West Yorkshire Pioneer & Keighley News; various editions throughout the month

Chicken pox at the school

School re-opened on the 8th following the Christmas holiday. Attendance was still down as a result of chicken-pox which had been present in the school since November.

On the 19th the headmaster reported that nineteen children had been absent with chicken pox and/or sore throats for the whole week. He suggested that this might be due to poor sanitation resulting from a blocked drain in the village. The headmaster was absent himself for three days in the following week, suffering from a sore throat and bad cold.
Source: Kildwick school log, January 1923

Football accident

On the afternoon of Saturday 10th, during a football match between Kildwick Old Boys' and Carleton, at Carleton, James Whitaker, one of the Kildwick players, was accidentally kicked and sustained a broken leg. He was treated at the scene by a local doctor before being taken to Skipton Cottage Hospital for further attention.

Source: Keighley News, 13/1/1923

Golden Wedding

On the 11th, Mr. and Mrs. Walmsley of Main Street, Farnhill, celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary. The couple had lived in the village for all of their married lives.

Source: Keighley News, 13/1/1923

"The heretic king"

On the 14th, Mr. J.J. Brigg of Kildwick Hall gave a talk on the "Recent Discoveries in Egypt and the Story of the Heretic King" to the men of the Methodist Chapel's Bible Group, paying particular attention to Akhenaten.

Sources: Craven Herald, 19/1/1923; Keighley News, 20/1/1923

No options to extend the Kildwick graveyard

At the meeting of Farnhill Parish Council, held on the 25th, the vicar of Kildwick, Rev. C.E.V. Hodge, told council members that the church could offer no suggestions for how to extend the Kildwick graveyard. The council then passed a motion to the effect that people living outside Farnhill and Kildwick townships should look to be buried elsewhere.

It was suggested that Col. Wilson should be approached with a view to donating land for use as an additional graveyard. The field opposite Mr. Sugden's house - on Skipton Road - was suggested.

Sources: Farnhill Parish Council minutes, January 1923; Keighley News, 27/1/1923; Craven Herald, 2/2/1923

Co-operative Holidays Association meeting

At the end of the month members of the Keighley and Kildwick Co-operative Holidays Association met in Farnhill Institute. The meeting, chaired by Thomas Appleby, heard how the association had been running for 30 years and aimed to help people with the cost of holidays. In the previous year, 600 free holidays had been provided for people who could not otherwise afford one.

The evening ended with a display of lantern slides showing pictures of the various places people had been on their holidays.

Sources: Craven Herald, 2/2/1923; Keighley News, 3/2/1923

National and International news

2nd - Railways - The Railways Act came into effect, consolidating 24 major British railway companies into four large regional companies: Great Western Railway (GWR); London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS); London and North Eastern Railway (LNER); and Southern Railway (SR)

6th - Abolition of Christmas - In Russia the Young Comunist League began a campaign against the celebration of Christmas on January 7 (December 25 on the Julian calendar).

9th - Thompson and Bywaters - Following their trial for the murder of Edith's husband, Percy, in the previous month, Edith Thompson and Frederick Bywaters were hanged at 9:00am in Holloway Prison (Thompson) and Pentonville (Bywaters).

9th - Germany defaults on reparations - The Alied Reparations Commission found Germany to be in willful default of coal deliveries agreed in the Treaty of Versailles. Later in the month France and Belgium would occupy the Ruhr valley - Germany's major mining and industrial region.

13th - Royal engagement - The formal annoucement was made of the engagement between Prince Albert, Duke of York (the future King George VI) and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (the Queen Mother).

14th - Transatlantic telephone call - The first ever transatlantic telephone call was made between the offices of AT&T in New York and the Marconi offices in London. As there was no transmission equipment powerful enough at the London end, acknowledgement of the message was sent by under-sea telegraph.

15th - Insulin - The co-discoverers of insulin signed over the rights to its production to the University of Toronto; thereby enabling mass production to be made affordable.

17th - Helicopter flight - The first practical helicopter, developed by Spanish engineers was demonstrated at an airfield outside Madrid. The Cierva C.4 autogyro flew 200 yards at a steady altitude of 13 feet.

25th - Americans go home - The last members of the US army of occupation left Europe, from Antwerp.

Sources: "1923 in the United Kingdom"; "January 1923"